Birds in Leicestershire
Explore 164 species found in this region.
Leicestershire is home to a rich diversity of birdlife, with 162 species recorded across the county's varied habitats, from the reservoirs and wetlands of Rutland Water's fringes to rolling farmland and ancient woodlands. The region supports notable species such as Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Woodcock in its countryside, while waterways attract visitors including Common Merganser, Mandarin Duck and Pink-footed Goose. Whether you're exploring urban parks where Great Tits and Magpies thrive or venturing to gravel pits and meadows, Leicestershire offers rewarding birding throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black-crowned Night-heron arriving this month, and Greater Scaup and Northern Pintail depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 164 species
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident found on reservoirs, playing fields and farmland. Numbers increase in winter when Continental birds supplement the local population.
Jul–May
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon resident along rivers, canals and lake edges throughout the year. A flash of electric blue is often the first sign of its presence.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident mainly seen in the colder months on reservoirs and rivers, scarcer during summer.
Oct–May
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common year-round resident of farmland, hedgerows and woodland edges. Populations sustained by regular releases.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, recolonising the county after a long absence; look for its tumbling display flight.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident of birch and alder woodland. Absent in midsummer, with numbers boosted by continental birds in autumn and winter.
Sep–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in April and August. Does not breed in the county but may stop over in wooded areas on migration.
Apr–Aug
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds at sites like Rutland Water's fringes and Watermead Park, arriving from April.
Apr–Sep
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Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor, bobbing along reservoir edges and river banks from spring through autumn.
Apr–Oct
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare breeder in the county, occasionally seen on reservoirs during spring passage and again in October.
Apr–Oct
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare resident, thinly spread around reservoirs and gravel pits. Largely absent in midsummer during moult migration.
Aug–Jun
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
A rare resident found in marshy areas and wet grassland. More conspicuous in winter when numbers are boosted.
Jul–Apr
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common and familiar resident, though nationally declining. Winter roosts at sites across Leicestershire can number in the thousands.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder, screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Numbers have declined, raising conservation concern.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, nesting on rafts and islands at reservoirs. Plunge-dives for fish in open water.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits throughout the county. Forms large winter flocks.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April. Its distinctive call carries across farmland and woodland edges.
Apr–Jun
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare passage migrant seen at reservoir edges and muddy scrapes, mainly in spring and late summer.
Apr–Aug
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of hedgerows, gardens, and scrubby undergrowth. Its shuffling song is a familiar sound year-round.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but year-round resident of naturalised origin, found on lakes and parkland waters across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident in towns, villages, and farmyards across the county. Its monotonous three-note cooing is a familiar suburban sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of broadleaved woodland, often detected by its harsh screeching call in autumn.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland. Its loud ringing call carries through Charnwood Forest and similar wooded areas.
Year-round